United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 168075 (QD-8075) "Sumo 86" Spotted Above Rockhampton Airport

Flying operations off the Queensland coast (and in particular the Fraser Coast) have seemed to ramp up this week, and on Tuesday 20 July, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 168075 (Tail Code QD-8075) was photographed as it overflew Rockhampton Airport while flying South from Townsville.

The Herc was noted to be flying as "Sumo 86".

The other US Marines KC-130J Hercules deployed to Townsville - 169227 (Tail Code QD-9227)  "Sumo 87" - appeared to also fly down to the Fraser Coast region and back to Townsville.

Also heard flying through the region, also on Tuesday 20 July, were US Marines Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.  Some from Townsville were heard departing the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as "Kingfisher 21", while it appears a single Osprey as "Magnum 31" flew off the USS America (LHA-6) amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy (USN) down to RAAF Base Amberley and back.

Finally, also on Tuesday 20 July, one notable aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to be noted flying of the Coast of Fraser Island was one of the last Lockheed AP-3C Orion aircraft A9-660 which flew up from and back to RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-006 & A47-003 Complete Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 19 June, a pair Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft were noted completing airwork including a missed approach each at Rockhampton Airport.

Poseidon A47-006 was heard to be flying as "Mariner 06" and looked to fly down from Townsville where it had arrived the previous day from its home at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

Poseidon A47-003 as "Mariner 07" also flew down from Townsville and had also arrived up there from Edinburgh the previous day.  It is pictured below on finals to Runway 15 at Rocky.

After completing their airwork, both Poseidons departed the Rockhampton Airport and headed back up towards Townsville where they then headed off-shore to complete exercises to the North-East of Townsville.

Of interest, the radio callsign of "Mariner" is of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

No. 292 Squadron is a RAAF operational conversion unit (OCU) based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron was formed in 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training Squadron and renamed No. 292 Squadron in 1980. Throughout its history it has formed part of No. 92 Wing and been responsible for training aircrew to operate the RAAF's Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. It is also responsible for training Orion maintenance personnel.

With the RAAF's retirement of the AP-3Cs with Boeing P-8 Poseidons, No. 292 Squadron will remain part of No. 92 Wing and will begin the first local training course using the new type. A new operational conversion facility has been constructed at Edinburgh to facilitate this training.

It is believed that the Poseidons may be participating in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Exercise Sea Explorer which is being held in North Queensland.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 19 June, RAAF Search and Rescue (SAR) (CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYJ "Choppa 42" passed through Roma and Longreach Airports while flying from RAAF Base Amberley to Mount Isa.  It is due to continue to Darwin in the Northern Territory in the coming days to support Exercise Rogue Ambush which is also being held up in the Top End.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-002 & A47-008 Complete Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 13 October, a pair Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft were noted completing airwork including a missed approach each at Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

Poseidon A47-002 was heard to be flying as "Mariner 01" and looked to depart its home at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia before flying up to Townsville via airwork at RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Amberley before completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

While Poseidon A47-008 was heard to be flying as "Mariner 02" and also departed Edinburgh before also flying up to Townsville but via airwork at Albury, Amberley and Rockhampton Airport.

Of interest, the radio callsign of "Mariner" is of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

No. 292 Squadron is a RAAF operational conversion unit (OCU) based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron was formed in 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training Squadron and renamed No. 292 Squadron in 1980. Throughout its history it has formed part of No. 92 Wing and been responsible for training aircrew to operate the RAAF's Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. It is also responsible for training Orion maintenance personnel.

With the RAAF's retirement of the AP-3Cs with Boeing P-8 Poseidons, No. 292 Squadron will remain part of No. 92 Wing and will begin the first local training course using the new type. A new operational conversion facility has been constructed at Edinburgh to facilitate this training.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-012 & A47-010 Complete Airwork at CQ Airports

On Monday 18 May, a pair Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft were spotted completing airwork including missed approaches in the region at Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.

Poseidon A47-012 made its first visit to the region, photographed above completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It was heard to be flying as "Mariner 01" and looked to depart its home at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia before flying up to Townsville via airwork at RAAF Base Williamtown, RAAF Base Amberley and Rocky.

While Poseidon A47-010 also made its first visit to the region, noted completing a missed approach at Mackay Airport.  It was heard to be flying as "Mariner 02" and also departed Edinburgh before also flying up to Townsville but via airwork at Canberra, Tamworth, Amberley and Mackay.

Of interest, the radio callsign of "Mariner" is of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

No. 292 Squadron is a RAAF operational conversion unit (OCU) based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron was formed in 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training Squadron and renamed No. 292 Squadron in 1980. Throughout its history it has formed part of No. 92 Wing and been responsible for training aircrew to operate the RAAF's Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. It is also responsible for training Orion maintenance personnel.

With the RAAF's retirement of the AP-3Cs with Boeing P-8 Poseidons, No. 292 Squadron will remain part of No. 92 Wing and will begin the first local training course using the new type. A new operational conversion facility has been constructed at Edinburgh to facilitate this training.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Another RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-001 Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

Two in two days!!

On Friday 5 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-001 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

This was the second visit by a RAAF Poseidon in as many days after sistership A47-002 also completed airwork at Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 4 October - see Blog post below.

Like yesterday’s Poseidon, A47-001 flew South from Townsville (where it too had arrived the previous day) and after completing its airwork at Rocky, A47-001 looked to head South, completing more airwork at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales, before looking to eventually return to its home base at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

A47-001 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Mariner 45" which is also of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Kayanne H and Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Scott Harris  ©

RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-002 Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 4 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-002 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It flew South from Townsville (where it had arrived the previous day) and after completing its airwork at Rocky, A47-002 looked to head South towards RAAF Base Amberley.  It was also noted completing more airwork at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales, before looking to eventually return to its home base at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

A47-002 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Mariner 43" which is of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

No. 292 Squadron is a RAAF operational conversion unit (OCU) based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron was formed in 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training Squadron and renamed No. 292 Squadron in 1980. Throughout its history it has formed part of No. 92 Wing and been responsible for training aircrew to operate the RAAF's Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. It is also responsible for training Orion maintenance personnel.

With the RAAF's retirement of the AP-3Cs with Boeing P-8 Poseidons, No. 292 Squadron will remain part of No. 92 Wing and will begin the first local training course using the new type. A new operational conversion facility has been constructed at Edinburgh to facilitate this training.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-001 Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 31 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-001 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It flew South from Townsville (where it had arrived the previous day via what was believed to be airwork in the Whitsundays) and after completing its airwork at Rocky, A47-001 looked to head South towards Victoria before looking to eventually return to its home base at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

A47-001 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Mariner 46" which is of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

No. 292 Squadron is a RAAF operational conversion unit (OCU) based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron was formed in 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training Squadron and renamed No. 292 Squadron in 1980. Throughout its history it has formed part of No. 92 Wing and been responsible for training aircrew to operate the RAAF's Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. It is also responsible for training Orion maintenance personnel.

With the RAAF's retirement of the AP-3Cs with Boeing P-8 Poseidons, No. 292 Squadron will remain part of No. 92 Wing and will begin the first local training course using the new type. A new operational conversion facility has been constructed at Edinburgh to facilitate this training.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Ex Hamel 2018 - And a Few RAAF Movements Also at and Above Rockhampton Airport!

There were some nice Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) movements that were also spotted at and above Rockhampton Airport also on Wednesday 27 June.  Most of the local action centred around the current 'resident' pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft which again were spotted departing and arriving on sorties to and from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

It appears that A34-010 departed first as "Wallaby 03" before later returning to Rockhampton via an initial and pitch before landing.

While a little later in the morning, A34-003 made a spectacular atmospheric departure from Rockhampton Airport as "Wallaby 10".

As mentioned several times, the current fleet of 10 C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter aircraft are flown by the RAAF's 35 Squadron based at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales.  Once Final Operating Capability (FOC) is achieved, they will move to RAAF Base Amberley.  Local plane spotter Daniel B was also able to chat quickly to crew from one of the Spartans who were very generous in offering him a patch.

Another RAAF visitor to Rockhampton Airport also on Wednesday 27 June was Beech B350 Super King Air A32-671 which called in as "Beaufort 31".

Meanwhile, some spectacular action in the skies over Rockhampton and within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area with numerous RAAF aircraft seen and heard overflying the area.  Perhaps the most spectacular sight was captured by Daniel B showing RAAF Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 "Dragon 31" flying in company with what appears to be a RAAF Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet.

Indeed over the course of the day, F/A-18F Super Hornets "Colt 3" and "Colt 5", along with Boeing EA-18G Growlers "Wolf 21", "Wolf 22" and "Wolf 31" were all heard flying overhead Rockhampton flying in and out of Shoalwater Bay from and back to Amberley.

Finally, an unidentified RAAF Lockheed AP-3C Orion flying as "Striker 61" was heard to complete airwork within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.  Another Orion (possibly the same airframe?) flying as "Striker 60" was heard to depart Shoalwater Bay for airwork at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday 22 June.

Sincere thanks to Daniel B for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Daniel Bishop  ©